By Joel Lefevre
Two sides under new management will begin their Premier League campaigns on Sunday as Liverpool travel to St. James’ Park for a date with Newcastle United on matchday one.
Both teams are coming off disappointing 2025-26 seasons, with the Reds going from first to fifth in the table and Newcastle falling to 12th after finishing 2024-25 in fifth.
Match Context
After nearly five years at the helm, the Eddie Howe era is over on Tyneside. Following a dismal 12th-place finish last season (their lowest since the 2020–21 campaign), Newcastle have turned to Matias Jaissle to orchestrate a revival. Fresh from guiding Al-Ahli to consecutive AFC Champions League Elite titles, the German manager arrives with a formidable reputation. He boasts a flawless record of winning his opening match at his last three clubs, and went completely unbeaten at home domestically last season, winning his final 13 Saudi Pro League fixtures.
History is also on the Magpies’ side this weekend, having avoided defeat in their last four season openers. However, tightening up at the back will be Jaissle’s immediate priority. Newcastle dropped 13 points from winning positions at St. James’ Park last season—the exact margin that separated 12th from a top-five finish. Expect goals, too; both teams have found the net in Newcastle’s last seven home league games, and doing so again on Sunday would equal their longest such streak in the competition.
In the opposite dugout, Andoni Iraola begins his Merseyside tenure tasked with restoring Liverpool's pride. He replaces Arne Slot, whose side suffered a damning nine away league defeats last term, their worst record on the road since 2011–12.
Fortunately for the travelling fans, the former Bournemouth boss brings remarkable momentum. Iraola is currently riding an 18-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, the longest active streak of any manager in the division. Furthermore, the Spaniard has never lost a top-flight clash against Newcastle, winning two of his three visits to St. James’ Park. He also inherits a Liverpool squad that notoriously starts fast; the Reds are unbeaten in their last 13 opening-day fixtures, marking the longest streak this century since Chelsea's legendary 18-match run between 1999 and 2016.
Team News
Newcastle’s captain Dan Burn could be a game-time decision, while Tino Livramento is questionable due to a thigh strain.
The club will look very different from what we’re used to in past campaigns, with their top Premier League goalscorer last season, Bruno Guimarães, signing with Arsenal, and Anthony Gordon joining Barcelona.
Amar Dedic has been among their big signings this summer, coming over from Benfica, and Aladji Bamba joining from Monaco, with the club paying a fee of over £30 million for each while spending more than £40 million on Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Touré.
Liverpool will begin the season without Hugo Ekitiké, who is recovering from an Achilles injury. Conor Bradley is questionable due to a sore knee, while Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic may not be ready to return due to hamstring strains.
The club cleaned house in the summer, with veterans Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konaté all departing, and Curtis Jones having just left the club for Inter Milan.
Key Players to Watch
Jérémy Jacquet is among the new faces who are sure to feature prominently, along with Víctor Muñoz, while Alexander Isak could become the first Liverpool player to score a matchday one goal against a team they’d previously played for.
Predicted XI
Newcastle United: Horníček; Dedić, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Miley, Ramsey; Murphy, Wissa, Touré; Osula
Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Prediction / Match Outlook
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool
When these teams meet, we tend to see a lot of goals, with three or more scored in the last three Premier League meetings between them at St. James’ Park.
While both sides had their share of turnover this summer, we believe Liverpool’s experience and backline are slightly stronger and will hold firm when needed.
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